Representative Cristina Parajón

Cristina Parajón is a Democratic state representative from New Mexico's House District 25, representing Bernalillo County. Born to a Nicaraguan father and a Taiwanese-American mother, both medical professionals, Parajón developed an early interest in health care access and housing issues. At 28 years old, she is the youngest woman serving in the New Mexico Legislature.

Parajón was appointed to represent House District 25 in 2023 and won the seat in a subsequent election in 2024. Before her legislative career, she served as the Gateway Center Administrator in Albuquerque, where she played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and developing the Gateway Center—a comprehensive service hub for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance abuse that began operations in 2023.

Education

Parajón earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and government, summa cum laude, from Harvard University between 2014 and 2018, where she was recognized as a Mellon Mays fellow. She holds a master's degree in business and economics and is currently in her second year of law school.

Political Experience

As a state representative, Parajón has already achieved notable legislative success. She helped pass a bill allowing semi-open primaries in New Mexico, which permits voters without a party affiliation to cast ballots in Democratic or Republican primaries without changing their registration.

Her current legislative priorities include advocating for a constitutional amendment to establish a base salary for state legislators and supporting continued funding for pet food manufacturer fees that support statewide spay and neuter programs. Additionally, she continues to advocate for expanded funding and legislative support for the Gateway Center and similar resources to support vulnerable populations throughout New Mexico.